You can find and buy the books relating to our author birthdays at the LitStack Bookshop on our list of Sharon’s Birthday Picks.
Here are seven author birthdays for this week.
Check out which authors are your favorites, and find out who shares your day.
This Week’s Author Birthdays
John Cheever – May 27
Born May 27, John Cheever left an indelible mark as a novelist and a master of the short story in American literature. Often hailed as the suburban Chekhov, his narrative artistry shines through in celebrated short stories such as “The Enormous Radio,” “Goodbye, My Brother,” “The Five-Forty-Eight,” “The Country Husband,” and “The Swimmer.” Beyond his remarkable short stories, Cheever’s literary prowess extended to crafting five notable novels: The Wapshot Chronicle, The Wapshot Scandal, Bullet Park, Falconer, and the novella Oh What a Paradise It Seems.
A master of the short story, The Stories of John Cheever, clinched the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction alongside a National Book Critics Circle Award. This remarkable work continued to captivate audiences and critics alike, securing a 1981 National Book Award with its inaugural paperback release. In a poignant tribute to Cheever’s legacy after his passing from cancer in 1982, the town of Ossining solemnly lowered its flags to half-staff for a duration of ten days.
Maeve Binchy – May 28
Born on May 28, Maeve Binchy was a distinguished figure from Ireland whose talents spanned novel writing, playwriting, short story crafting, column writing, and engaging public speaking. Binchy’s literary work is renowned for its empathetic and frequently amusing depiction of life in Irish small towns, often culminating in unexpected conclusions. Throughout her illustrious career, she released a total of 16 novels alongside four collections of short stories, a play, and a novella. Despite facing initial setbacks with her debut book being turned down five times, Maeve Binchy’s perseverance paid off spectacularly.
A prolific writer, Maeve Binchy crafted numerous dramas tailored for both radio broadcasts and cinematic audiences. Beyond her original screenplays, a vast array of her novels and short stories also found new life through adaptations into radio shows, movies, and TV series. Binchy’s life came to an end on July 30th when she was 72 years old after battling with several health issues over the years. Among these were the debilitating effects of osteoarthritis, which led to her undergoing hip surgery. In the final weeks of her life, she faced a severe spinal infection and ultimately passed away due to a heart attack.
T.H. White – May 29
Born on May 29 in the bustling city of Bombay, India, Terrence Hanbury (T.H.) White eventually became renowned for his captivating collection of fantasy novels titled The Once and Future King. This work, which delves into the legendary tales of King Arthur, draws its inspiration from Sir Thomas Malory’s 1485 masterpiece Le Morte d’Arthur. Initially released as a series of shorter novels between 1938 and 1940, TOAFK was eventually compiled into a single collection in 1958. T.H. White’s unique interpretation has intrigued readers for decades with its imaginative exploration of Arthurian legend.
In the early part of the 1950s, T.H. White wrote two non-fiction works. The Age of Scandal dives into a series of essays that vividly bring to life the intriguing world of 18th-century England. The Goshawk is an engaging narrative of White’s personal journey as he embarks on training a northern goshawk with traditional falconry methods, eschewing more contemporary approaches. Tragically, White’s life came to an untimely end due to heart failure in January 1964. His passing occurred on a ship docked in Piraeus, Athens, Greece.
Countee Cullen – May 30
Born on May 30, Countee Cullen became a distinguished figure in American literature. Renowned for his contributions as a poet, novelist, playwright, and author of children’s literature, Cullen shone brightly during the Harlem Renaissance. Piecing together the early chapters of his life has presented historians with a challenge due to scant records regarding his place of birth. Among his celebrated works are poetry collections like The Ballad of the Brown Girl and Copper Sun, both of which delve into themes echoing those found in Color, further cementing Cullen’s legacy as a pivotal voice in literature. Cullen once proposed to Dorothy West (our June 2 author birthday) because his father thought it would end his homosexuality.
Countee Cullen, a figure not only celebrated for his poetry but also his contributions to the theatrical world, ventured into adapting Arlen Bontemps’s novel God Sends Sunday into the musical St. Louis Woman in 1931. The musical’s score was the creation of Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, both of whom were white. Set against the backdrop of a deprived African American neighborhood in St. Louis, the production faced criticism from black intellectuals who argued it perpetuated negative stereotypes about African Americans. Tragically, Cullen’s life came to an end in January 1946 due to complications from high blood pressure and uremic poisoning.
Walt Whitman – May 31
Walt Whitman, whose birth date was May 31, stands as a towering figure in the realm of American poetry, essay writing, and journalism. Esteemed as one of the pivotal poets in the annals of American literature, Whitman’s writings are a blend of transcendentalist and realist elements. Often hailed as the pioneer of free verse, his innovative approach to poetry reshaped traditional boundaries, making his compositions more akin to prose. Despite facing controversy for what some deemed the explicit sensuality in his seminal 1855 collection Leaves of Grass, Whitman’s influence remains undisputed. His bold departure from conventional poetic forms has cemented his legacy as a groundbreaking literary figure.
Known for his strong support of the temperance movement, he seldom indulged in alcoholic beverages during his early years. However, as he aged, he developed a taste for local wines and champagne, adopting a more relaxed stance towards alcohol consumption. Following a stroke that significantly impacted his health in his later years, Whitman relocated to Camden, New Jersey. It was there that his health continued to deteriorate until he passed away at the age of 72. His passing was marked by a funeral that drew public attention and attendance, highlighting the significant impact he had made on society.
Colleen McCullough – June 1
On June 1, Colleen McCullough was born. She became an iconic Australian novelist whose work, particularly The Thorn Birds and The Ladies of Missalonghi, left an indelible mark on literature. McCullough’s mastery in weaving epic romances was most vividly displayed through The Thorn Birds, a novel that single-handedly upheld the genre in the 1970s. She also penned the Masters of Rome series, showcasing her versatility as a writer. The overwhelming success of her novels allowed McCullough to transition from a career in medicine and science to pursue a life dedicated to storytelling on her own terms.
In 2008, Colleen McCullough released The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet, a novel that stirred up quite a bit of debate due to its reinterpretation of personalities from the classic Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The president of the Jane Austen Society of Australia expressed her dismay by stating she “shuddered” as she turned the pages. Sadly, McCullough passed away in January 2015, attributed to complications related to renal failure after she had experienced several minor strokes.
Dorothy West – June 2
Born June 2, Dorothy West became a distinguished figure in American literature. As a novelist, short-story writer, and editor, she played a pivotal role in the Harlem Renaissance. West’s journey as a writer began at the age of seven when she crafted her first story. By the age of 14, her talent was undeniable; her short story “Promise and Fulfillment” was published in The Boston Post, marking her entry into the literary world. Countee Cullen (our May 30th author birthday) once proposed to West because his father thought it would end his homosexuality.
After the success of her second novel, The Wedding, a treasure trove of her work was unveiled in the form of a compilation titled The Richer, the Poorer. This anthology showcased 30 of West’s pieces, blending short stories and personal reflections, with 11 of these works being shared with the public for the first time. In August 1998, at the venerable age of 91, West passed away. While the exact cause of her death wasn’t publicly disclosed, it is widely believed that she succumbed to natural causes.
Other LitStack Resources
Be sure to look at other Author Birthdays, a weekly feature on LitStack from contributing writer Sharon Browning, and be sure and support independent bookstores – buy a book today at LitStack Bookshop, with tons of author birthday titles on our list of Sharon’s Birthday Picks.
As a Bookshop, BAM, Barnes & Noble, Audiobooks.com, Amazon, and Envato affiliate, LitStack may earn a commission at no cost to you when you purchase products through our affiliate links.
Listen Anywhere
You can find and buy the books relating to our author birthdays at the LitStack Bookshop on our list of Sharon’s Birthday Picks.
It’s Football Time!
